The forward converted a close-range header to give Leeds a winning start to the League One term after Exeter City had fought back from a goal down.

Ten-man City were on course for a share of the points after Alex Russell's second-half finish cancelled out an earlier Beckford goal, but United's late surge told on the visiting defence.

Exeter came under heavy pressure in the first half, and Beckford and Luciano Becchio came close to opening the scoring inside the first 10 minutes.

Beckford produced another two goalbound efforts, one saved by goalkeeper Paul Jones and the other deflected wide by the head of a defender, but he opened the scoring with a cool finish on 14 minutes when Ben Parker found him at the end of a long run.

Exeter's crossbar was then rattled by a Beckford header, and the visitors were limited to one serious chance before the break, wasted by Barry Corr's rash finish.

City's attempt to fight back appeared to have been wrecked when Corr was shown a straight red card, apparently for dissent, on 59 minutes, but Alex Russell silenced Elland Road by equalising with a curling shot from outside the box in the 73rd minute.

United threw men forward desperately in response and Beckford snatched a winner when he connected with Jason Crowe's cross.